Sanitarium has defended its Up&Go liquid breakfast drink after consumer watchdog Choice called its ‘high in fibre’ claim into question in an article that critiqued the nutritional claims of liquid breakfasts. [ + ]

North American crop production has fallen behind that of Western Europe, despite US farmers using genetically modified seed and more pesticide, University of Canterbury researchers have found. [ + ]

A dairy company was convicted and fined $35,000 following an incident in which a worker had a finger severed in a cheese shredding machine. [ + ]

Looking to expand dietary options for coeliacs, Joyce Irene Boye and colleagues developed a new variety of glabrous (hairless) canary seeds, which have been bred specifically for human consumption. [ + ]

Children with autism have been found to have elevated antibodies to wheat gluten proteins compared to those without autism. However, the researchers did not find any connection between the elevated antibodies and coeliac disease. [ + ]

An Ulladulla man has been fined for threatening a NSW Food Authority officer who was conducting an inspection of a food business selling seafood from a fishing vessel. [ + ]

You’d be amazed what plants get up to at night. US researchers have found that by manipulating the circadian clocks of fruits and vegetables, they were able to improve the amount of antioxidants they contain. [ + ]

The wine industry has introduced a Bill into parliament that seeks to establish the Australian Grape and Wine Authority through the merger of the Wine Australia Corporation and Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation. [ + ]

A new publication designed to encourage businesses to promote the benefits of science and innovation has been published. Inspiring industry to inspire Australia aims to improve the way Australians perceive and value science. [ + ]

Anglomoil’s Synthetic Food Grade (SFG) lubricant range has been awarded ISO 21469 certification by NSF International. [ + ]

Fonterra has announced a further $30 million investment to expand its dry distribution centre at its Whareroa site in Taranaki. [ + ]

Cost-effective strategies for control of produce contamination may become realities now that researchers have identified a variety of factors that influence the likelihood of E. coli contamination of spinach on farms prior to harvest. [ + ]

Although bread in Australia is fortified with iodised salt, this alone does not supply pregnant women with sufficient iodine to ensure a healthy foetus, researchers from the University of Adelaide claim. [ + ]

Online retailing will comprise 20% of the non-food market in Australia in five years, retail expert Stephen Kulmar predicts. The Australian retail market should expect a major shake-up, Kulmar said. [ + ]

A new process for making a 3D microstructure that can be used to analyse cells could be useful in counterterrorism measures and water and food safety concerns. [ + ]